Lucy Crowe, Andrew Staples, Christopher Purves – Handel: Messiah (2014) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

A spectacular version on period instruments in historically informed style, Emmanuelle Haïm’s rendition of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah with Le Concert d’Astrée was among the finest to appear in 2014. Vigorous in rhythm and brisk in tempo, the performance is extremely lively and exciting, without a trace of traditional religiosity or stodginess, and the drama inherent in Handel’s music is brilliantly realized in the energetic singing and playing. Featuring soprano Lucy Crowe, countertenor Andrew Staples, tenor Tim Mead, and bass Christopher Purves in a well-balanced quartet, and a chamber choir and orchestra that are as limber as they are lean, the oratorio moves at a rapid clip and takes little time to brood. Even the customarily slow numbers move along at a comfortable walking pace, and Haïm ensures that they maintain interest through transparent textures, fresh ornamentation, and forward momentum. This interpretation may be a little too exciting for listeners who like their Messiah reflective and reverent, but fans of the streamlined counterpoint and scintillating timbres of Baroque performance practice will enjoy the vitality and bright sonorities of this recording. Highly recommended, whether on CD, SACD, or digital download.

Tracklist:
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
01. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: Grave-Allegro moderato
02. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Comfort ye my people” (Tenor)
03. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Ev’ry valley shall be exalted” (Tenor)
04. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed” (Chorus)
05. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts” (Bass)
06. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “But who may abide the day of His coming?” (Alto)
07. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “And he shall purify” (Chorus)
08. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Behold, a virgin shall conceive” (Alto)
09. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion” (Alto, Chorus)
10. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth” (Bass)
11. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “The people that walked in darkness” (Bass)
12. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “For unto us a child is born” (Chorus)
13. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: Larghetto e mezzo piano
14. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “There were shepherds abiding in the field” (Soprano)
15. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them” (Soprano)
16. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “And the angel said unto them” (Soprano)
17. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “And suddenly there was with the angel” (Soprano)
18. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Glory to God in the highest” (Chorus)
19. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion” (Soprano)
20. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “Then shall the eyes of the blind be open’d” (Alto)
21. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1:”He shall feed His flock like a shepherd” (Alto, Soprano)
22. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 1: “His yoke is easy, His burthen is light” (Chorus)
23. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Behold the Lamb of God” (Chorus)
24. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “He was despised” (Alto)
25. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Surely He hath borne our griefs” (Chorus)
26. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “And with His stripes we are healed” (Chorus)
27. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “All we, like sheep, have gone astray” (Chorus)
28. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn” (Tenor)
29. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “He trusted in God” (Chorus)
30. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Thy rebuke hath broken His heart” (Tenor)
31. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Behold, and see, if there be any sorrow” (Tenor)
32. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “He was cut off out of the land of the living” (Tenor)
33. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell” (Tenor)
34. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Lift up your heads, O ye gates” (Chorus)
35. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Unto which of the angels said He at any time” (Tenor)
36. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Let all the angels of God worship Him” (Chorus)
37. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Thou art gone up on high” (Alto)
38. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “The Lord gave the word” (Chorus)
39. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “How beautiful are the feet” (Soprano)
40. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Their sound is gone out into all lands” (Chorus)
41. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Why do the nations so furiously rage together” (Bass)
42. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Let us break their bonds asunder” (Chorus)
43. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “He that dwelleth in heaven” (Tenor)
44. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron” (Tenor)
45. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 2: “Hallelujah!” (Chorus)
46. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “I know that my Redeemer liveth” (Soprano)
47. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “Since by man came death” (Chorus)
48. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “Behold, I tell you a mystery” (Bass)
49. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “The trumpet shall sound” (Bass)
50. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “Then shall be brought to pass the saying” (Alto)
51. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “O death, where is thy sting?” (Alto, Tenor)
52. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “But thanks be to God” (Chorus)
53. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Soprano)
54. Messiah, HWV 56, Part 3: “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain”-Amen (Chorus)

Personnel:
Lucy Crow, soprano
Andrew Staples, tenor
Tim Mead, countertenor
Christopher Purves, bass
Le Concert d’Astrée
David Bates, chorus master
Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor

Recorded from December 4 – 7, 2013 at Opéra de Lille in France
Engineered and editing by Michel Pierre, Baptiste Chouquet
Produced by Daniel Zalay

Download:

mqs.link_LucyCrweAndrewStaplesChristpherPurvesHandelMessiahHWV5620142496.part1.rar
mqs.link_LucyCrweAndrewStaplesChristpherPurvesHandelMessiahHWV5620142496.part2.rar
mqs.link_LucyCrweAndrewStaplesChristpherPurvesHandelMessiahHWV5620142496.part3.rar